About Us

Helping Our Community One Stride At A Time

Healing comes in many ways. LifeStriders is a non-profit organization that provides life-enhancing, physical and psychological experiences and services, to individuals with special needs. Through Equine-Assisted Therapy, children and adults can experience the beneficial physical and mental benefits achieved through the human-horse connection.

Board of Directors Ex-Officers

Veronica Sosa Agnoli, Executive DirectorVeronica Sosa Agnoli, MS, LPC is a bilingual school psychologist and counselor and co-founder of LifeStriders. She achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Master of Science degree in School Psychology and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is also certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association ( NARHA ) as a therapeutic riding instructor. Since 1996 she has worked in the inner cities of Los Angeles in a variety of multi-cultural educational and family counseling settings and more recently, in the School District of New Berlin, Wisconsin. In 2004 Veronica co-founded LifeStriders and has been working as the executive director for this organization establishing LifeStriders as a leader in the field of Equine Facilitated Learning/Mental Health and therapeutic riding. Email

Robert Conley, PresidentRobert Conley, MSPT holds a master's degree in Physical Therapy and is also certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) as a therapeutic riding instructor. He grew up in Oconomowoc as a teacher for our community's youth in various sports and activities. Email

Barbara Abair, OfficerBarb has degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education, Barb taught third grade in a parochial school before leaving teaching to raise three sons. As a mother of three, Barb and her husband also regularily provide foster care to infants. Email

Dixon Benz, OfficerDixon W. Benz II is the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for Benz Oil. He is a graduate of Valparaiso University with a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in psychology. Dixon also received his MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He and his wife, Stephanie, and two children, live in the Lake Country area. His interests include sailing, fly fishing, biking, flying and LifeStriders and the amazing work they do. Email

Robert P. Magnus DVM, MBA,OfficerRobert Magnus is the CEO and founder of Wisconsin Equine Clinic & Hospital (WECH), a full service referral hospital and ambulatory practice established in 1992. Starting this business as a solo practitioner, WECH has grown to include 12 veterinarians and 20+ support staff. In 2005 he founded Equine Business Management Strategies LLC, an executive business education program for the equine veterinary industry. This program expanded in 2010 to offer an international course in Europe. In addition to his passion for business education, he founded Equine Best Practices, LLC, a financial service provider focused on operational system efficiency, medical process, and financial performance metrics. This company provides business benchmark standards in equine veterinary marketplace. Dr. Magnus serves on numerous national advisory boards and focus groups. He also provides veterinary business consulting in the equine marketplace and the human health care industry. A horse enthusiast himself, he was raised on a large breeding and training facility and still enjoys working with his own horses. He and his wife Gina live on a farm in Wisconsin with their two daughters and a menagerie of animals.

Nettie Saydel, Ex-OfficerNettie Saydel is a physical education instructor, a certified PATH instructor, a past board member, treasurer and president of the volunteers at The Humane Animal Welfare Society. Her passions are children, animals, and LifeStriders.Email

Carl Barkow, Ex-OfficerCarl is commercial banker at M&I Bank, Director and Treasurer of Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church, and an avid supporter of LifeStriders. He is married and lives in the Lake Country area with his wife, Kimberly and their two children. His passions include horses, sailing, and skiing amongst many other outdoor activities.Email

Judy Pequet, Ex-OfficerJudy has degrees in Education of the Hearing-Impaired k-12, Regular Edugcation 1-8, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Exceptional Education, and Kindergarten. She worked in the special education field for three years before starting her family, 1978-1981. She Volunteered as children's co-ordinator at Friendship House, Milwaukee, 1981-1982. She was president of the Medical College Spouse's Club, 1983. She was a board member of the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin 1996-1999. She has an on-going membership on the Alumni Committee for Brookfield Academy for 30 + years and is on the school's Development Committee for 10 + years now. She was a member of the Grede Foundation Board 2006-2009. Judy established the Sunshine Fund at Kettle Moraine High School for use in the special needs classes. She is the past President of the Spring City Garden Club, 2007-2009. She is the spouse of Arch Pequet. Md. and parent of Christopher Pequet. Age 23, former rider and autistic.Email

LifeStriders is a 501c3 public charity organization. All donations are tax deductible.